St. Helena Valley to Spring Mountain: Historic Estates & Mountain Views
Perfect for: Wine collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate both historic estates and mountain-grown wines
Welcome to a remarkable day of wine tasting that begins in St. Helena's valley floor before climbing the stunning Spring Mountain. This carefully planned route showcases the dramatic range of Napa Valley's terroir, from historic valley estates to magnificent mountain vineyards. This itinerary works best Thursday through Sunday, though always check current hours and availability.
Your Day at a Glance
- Morning: Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery
- Lunch: Choice of St. Helena restaurants
- Early Afternoon: Pride Mountain Vineyards
- Late Afternoon: Barnett Vineyards
- Optional Dinner: Return to St. Helena
Morning Start: Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery
Begin your day at this historic Pre-Prohibition estate, where the morning light illuminates their gorgeous Victorian mansion and organic vineyards. The serene garden setting provides the perfect introduction to their elegant Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
Known for: Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, organic farming since 1985
What you'll love: Historic Victorian estate, intimate tastings, gorgeous gardens
Portfolio Focus: Red with distinguished Sauvignon Blanc
Lunch Break
After your morning tasting, you're perfectly positioned for lunch in downtown St. Helena:
- PRESS (5 min drive) - Modern steakhouse with extensive Napa Valley wine list, upscale
- Goose & Gander (5 min drive) - Refined pub fare with lovely garden patio, moderate
- Gott's Roadside (5 min drive) - California casual with excellent burgers, casual
Pro tip: If dining at PRESS or Goose & Gander, reservations are highly recommended
Early Afternoon: Pride Mountain Vineyards
After lunch, take the scenic drive up Spring Mountain Road to Pride Mountain Vineyards, where you'll discover a stunning estate straddling the Napa-Sonoma county line. Their caves and summit views provide a dramatic contrast to your valley floor morning.
Known for: Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, unique county-line location
What you'll love: Cave tour, summit views, unique two-county tasting experiences
Portfolio Focus: Red
Final Stop: Barnett Vineyards
Complete your mountain exploration at Barnett Vineyards, perched at 2,000 feet elevation. Their intimate tasting area offers some of the most spectacular views in all of Napa Valley, making it the perfect finale to your day.
Known for: Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon, mountain Merlot
What you'll love: Breathtaking valley views, intimate tasting experience
Portfolio Focus: Red
Extend Your Evening
Return to St. Helena for dinner at one of these excellent options:
- Charter Oak (15 min drive) - Elevated wine country cuisine, family-style, upscale
- Cook St. Helena (15 min drive) - Intimate Italian dining, local favorite, moderate
Pro tip: The drive down the mountain is particularly beautiful at sunset, so plan your final tasting accordingly
Good to Know
- Total driving time between stops: approximately 45 minutes
- Reservations required at all wineries
- Mountain roads are winding; consider having a designated driver
- Start your day no later than 10:00 AM to fully enjoy each stop
Route Overview
This route begins in St. Helena's historic valley floor before ascending Spring Mountain Road for two distinct mountain experiences. The drive up the mountain is scenic but winding, with each turn revealing more spectacular views.
Collection Details
This itinerary is part of our Reserve Red Wine Estates series, featuring wineries that are primarily:
- Wine Focus: Red-focused
- Estate Type: Mix of historic estates and boutique mountain vineyards
- Price Range: High-End
Remember: Tasting room hours can change seasonally, and availability varies. Always check current hours and make reservations well in advance to ensure the best experience!
